The Southland Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1872.

Southland Times, Issue 1659, 8 November 1872, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1872.

Fbom the programme of the International , Exhibition to be held next year at Vienna, it would appear that it is intended that this undertaking shall surpaßS all previous efforts of the kind, both in respect of the extent and variety of its attractions, and the scientific character of the arrangements. The exhibition, which is under the especial patronage of the Emperor, is to be held in the Imperial Park known as the Prater, in buildings to be erected for the purpose. It will be opened on the first of May, and closed on the thirty-first of October. The classification adopted for the objects to be exhibited comprises twenty-six sections, and though it is not very easy to see upon what principle the various classes have been defined, it ia very obviousj that there is no single form of human industry which will not come under some one or other of the divisions. In addition to the mere, exhibition of objects of modern manufacture, there will be competitive trials of machinery and processes of various dates, with the object of giving a history of the progress of invention. Samples of analogous industrial products, manufactured at different epochs, will also be exhibited together, for the purpose of showing the changes which have taken place in such matters from time to time, with the view of illustrating what may be called the history of industry. The gradual conversion of waste products into use, and the progress made in this direction since the first International Exhibition of 1851, will also form a subject of illustration. The history of prices will be given, in ■ periods of five years, going back as far as ( possible, by a series of samples of the chief articles of production, with pricesattached, and conveniently placed for comparison in the average periods named. The commerce of the world is to be illustrated by samples of the principal articles of export and import of every important seaport, arranged according to the various ports, and accompanied with , every information regarding prices and quantities, together with tables ' showing the progress of each port for the last ten years. Experiments are to be made, 1 lectures are to be given, international congresses and conferences are to be held for discussion, and in short nothing is to be omitted which can contribute to the specially educational and instructive character of the exhibition. Although towards the close of the last Paris Exhibition, in 1867, it became fashionable to declare that people had had nearly enough of Exhibitions, which, were becoming rather wearisome than otherwise, there can bo no doubt that the Vienna Exhibition will be a great success, and that its influence will be felt throughout the whole civilised world. The six years which will have elapsed since the last Exhibition have been marked by great advances in art and science, so that the collection will necessarily contain much that is new, while the novel features which it is intended to introduce in the arrangements will also prore a source of attraction. It ia gratifying to find that the English Government have taken Bteps to provide, as far as possible, for a creditable representation of the industry of Great Britain and the British Colonies. A Koyai Commission has been appointed to represent British and Colonial exhibitors, and the Commissioners have appointed a committee to advise them on the best method of lecuring representations of colonial productions. The committee, of which the Agent-General for New Zealand, Dr

Pbathbbstonb, is a member, will undertake the charge of the interest of any Colony which may be unable to send a special representative commission of its own, or will co-operate with such colonial representatives as may be ! appointed. With the view of securing a worthy representation of New Zealand produce and manufactures, a preliminary Exhibition is to held at Christeihurch, to commence on 16th December next, under the auspices of the Colonial Government. From the articles there exhibited a selection of the best is to be made, and forwarded to Vienna. A Committee has been formed to superintend the arrangements, and witn the view of giving every encouragement to intending exhibitors, and securing as large a list of articles as possible from which to make a suitable selection, it is announced that all articles will be transmitted free of cost to the exhibitor. The list of articles which' it is desired to exhibit will be found in our advertising columns. It appears to have been drawn up with care and intelligence, and though not quite so encyclopedic in its character as that composed by the German savans who preside over the arrangements at Vienna, it will, if filled up, give a very complete epitome of the productions and resources of the Colony. As • our future prosperity depends on these being generally known, and there is reason to fear that great ignorance prevails on the subject, the opportunity of enabling the scientific and commercial enterprise of Europe to form some estimate of the vast natural treasures which these islands undoubtedly contain, should not be lost. It is to be hoped therefore that the exertions of the Committee will be seconded by the community. The time available for the collection and preparation of objects is now very short, but much may be done, even in a short time, if public interest is awakened to the importance of the subject. For this purpose, and for undertaking the collection and trans* mission of exhibits, it is highly desirable that there should be some local organisation. The duty is* one which we think might be appropriately undertaken, and there is no doubt it would be efficiently performed, by the Chamber of Commerce.

If any proof at this time of day were required as to the advantages conferred upon a young country by railway communication, the Southland linei furnish sufficient illustration. From the traffic returns, published in another column, it will be observed that the goods carried during last month amounted to 2470 tons, against 549 tons during the same period last year. Tiie passengers were 1246, against 717. The total earnings for the month were £840 143 9J, against £26G 10a 5d in 1871. It should be borne in mind that the tariff of charges has been reduced by about 60 per cent, since the time stated. The working expenses amount on an average to about £500 per month, inclusive of cod and repairs to permanent way and rolling stock. The returns for this month do not include preserved meats or wool, which, for many months in the year, form a large item in the receipts. Much iucourenience is. now experienced, owing to the great increase of businesß, from the want of sufficient track accommodation. It is understood that the Government hare hitherto been unwilling to expend much money on additional rolling stock, owing to the impending change of gau^e, which the connection with the Mataura and Kingston lines will probably require, but the nesessity has now become so imperative that some further provision must be made for the traffic at whatever cost. Monday next seems to be set apart by general consent as a holiday, in honor of the Prince of Wales' s birthday, which, as it falls on the 9th inst., it would be inconvenient to celebraU tomorrow (rfaturdaj). An excursion train from I Winton to the Bluff is announced by the Railway Manager, and a grand ball will take place in tho Theatre Koyal in the evening. We had occasion to refer in a recent article to the increasing importance of the timber trade of the Southland district. It may probably surprise some of our readers to learn that during the last month na less than 1,041,332 feet were carried by railway, the freight on which amounted to £285 17s 4d. This traffic was created by five mills only, and we understand that four others will shortly be in full working order. An accident of a serious and distressing nature occurred on Wednesday afternoon, at Messrs Jack and Sampson's sawmill, near Winton. A man of the name of Kidd, who was employed on the sawmill, seeing a piece of slab about to fall on the spindle, jumped upon the bench to clear it* forgetting that the bench was in motion at (he time. Hia leit £oot was consequently drawn into contact with the saw, and instantly severed in two. The unhappy man then fell, and received a second wound from the saw, which severed the bone of the left leg below the knee, as well as the small toe of the right foot. He was brought to town by special train, and conveyed to tke Hospital, where the injured limb was amputated below the knee by Dr Grigor, assisted by Dr M'Clure. The patient has been progressing favorably since the operation, ; although much weakened by the shock and loss of blood. We hare received from the pub Usher, Mr H. Wise, of Dunedia, a copy of the New Zealand Directory for 1872-3. The want of such a work of reference has been long felt, and considering the difficulties to be encountered in preparing a rolume of this nature, the compiler appears to hare been singularly successful in the attempt to meet this requirement. The book is neatly printed and handsomely bound, and the publisher will no doubt be rewarded for his enterprise by the sale of a large number of copies. Mr K. Robs is appointed agent for Southland. At the meeting of the Town Council last night, it was resolved that the Mayor be requested to communicate with the Superintendent regarding additional police protection for the town during the night, and that a special meeting Bhould be held on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of fixing the amount of the town rate for the current year, and considering the surveyor's* report regarding drainage and road works. An instance of goad feeling, existing in the members of the choir of St. John's Church, was exhibited on Wednesday evening, after the usual weekly practice, when a lady, who has been unremitting in her attendances for some years, but

*8 now learing the district, waa presented vrith a very handsome cruet stand and an address neatly engrossed upon parchment. The chair was occupied by the choirmaster, Mr John Kingsland, and the presentation made by the Rev. W. P. Tanner, both of whom in feeling terms alluled to the regret experienced by the loss of the services of one who had so effi .neatly contributed to the music of the church, as well as the example set to newer meoibßraj by the regularity of attead • ance, and expressed warm wishes for the recipient's welfare in her new home. Proceedings were closed by singing one of the processional hymns from those " Ancient and Modern," a prayer, and the benediction. A telegram has been received by Mr Pearson ( the local Immigration Officer, from the Minister of Lands and Immigration, to the effect that a ship was expected to sail for the Bluff about 30th September, with from 200 to 250 immigrants. A correspondent informs us that in the neigh- ' borhood of Wallacetown the ravages of the grub I have extended within the last three weeks to the oat crop, as well as to wheat, which was formerly affected. In some paddocks patches o{ an acre more or less are to be seen here and there entirely bare. The worm cuts the root of the joung braird, close, to the seed, and completely destroys it. One wheat paddock of 14 acres was quite cleared out, and had to be ploughed and sown a second time. The meeting of the Invercargill District Road Board, called for yesterday, was again allowed to lapse for want of a quorum, the only members present being Mr Butts, the chairman, and Mr Brown, of the Appleby subdivision. It would seem as if the members desired, by absenting themselves from the meetings, to avoid the performance of the duties for ■which they were elected. If there is any real obstacle in the way Of the Board fulfilling its functions, it would be a more dignified course to discuss the matter at a regular meeting, and arrive at some definite conclusion as to the course of action which should bo followed. It will be observed from our advertising columns that the half-yearly sitting of the Supreme Court, for the despatch of civil and criminal business, is to be opened on Monday, the 18th inst. We are authorised to state that Mr Justice Chapman will be in Invercargill on the day appointed for opening the Court. We understand that Mr W. J. Moffott ia the lowest tenderer for the construction of the new bridge over the Makarevra, at Wallacetown, the price being close on £1200. Some preliminaries have yet to be arranged before the contract is finally signed. At the meeting of the Southland Waste Land Board, on Tuesday, the members present were Messrs Pearson and M< Arthur. It was resolved that out of the temporary reserve of about 1000 acres at Menzies Ferry, 150 acres should- be set apart for the townahip, 200 acres fora quarantine ground for Stock crossing the boundary of the district, and the balance cut up into sections of 50 to 80 acres, and sold as suburban land. Two applications for land at Horseshoe Bay, Stewart's Island, from Louis L 9 Q-off and James Adams, were refused, the land not being open for sale, but the applicants were informed that their improvements would be valued in the usual manner when the land is thrown open for application. Ib was resolved that Messrs Moore and Patterson shoulJ be allowed to cut timber for piles for the Bluff wharf in the bush reserve, block 14, Invercargill hundred, and Grove Bush, on condition of their undertaking to comply with aiay conditions which may be imposed by the new timber regulations. The report of Constable Tuohy regarding the supposed trespass by Messrs Swale and Shand on the Bush reserve adjoining their sawmill at Centre Bush, was received, to the effect that no trespass had been committed. The following paragraph, from the leading article in the Tuapeka Times of 31st ult., will show how the Tuapeka railway is regarded by the inhabitants of that district, and how far it may be regarded a3 a rival scheme to the WintouKingston line : — " The Tuapeka line is not merely a branch of the Southern Trunk Railway, but is, and has always been intended to form portian of the great interior trunk line, which is to traverse the valley of the Molyneus. " That such a line will ever be constructed may well be considered, by anyone who knows the country, as extremely doubtful, to say the least | but that tho project of connecting the Lake goldfields with the seaboard by that extraordinary route ii seriously entertained can no longer be questioned. As an illustration of the caprice displayed by miners in naming their claims, we may state that an Auckland paper reports that " the Bismarck lode in the Siege of Paris level looks well." From an article in the Engineering of August 30th s headed "The St. Gothard Tunnel," we learn that a second great Alpine tunnel has been negotiated, the successful competitor for its construction being a Swiss contractor,— M. L. Favre, of G-eneva. Its length is rather more than nine English miles ; it is to cost about £2,000,000, inclusive of preparatory works, machinery, and permanent way ; and it is to bo finished within eight years. It is situated between "Q-oeschenen and Airolo. The article concludes as follows : — " It may be interesting to state that M. L. Favre, now at the head of the greatest engiueering work of modern times, was once employed as a journeyman carpenter at Paris, and that, in that capacity, he made his first step on the slippery ladder to eminence by successfully executing some clever work in connexion with the improvement of the river Seine." Another page of the same journal informs us, under the heading " recent patents," that " Robert Mudge Marchant" — a name dearly associated with Southland railways — has patented an icemaking process. The notice remarks, " There is nothing novel in this plan." The Wellington Evening Po3fc is inclined to be rather severe on Mr O'Rorke for having joined the Ministry. In a communication, purporting to be sent from Onehunga, (the district which Mr O'Rorke repreaonts.) published by that journal, the writer says : — Great was the constirnation here when we heeri that " Our Rook " had taken the shillin', an' 'listed wid the Colored Sergeant Yogel, to join his army of livia' marty». The pinsioners has been sold— their childer has been sold — their little praperties has been sold— Onehunga has been sold — by our member of Parlement. What does he care, so long as he has got a rosey billet ? O, musha, musha .' didn't we all hear him say to us here before he left us 'for the South, that .the Fox an' Vogel's flock of i

foul birds had neglected Oireland in the emigration, an' had proved traitors to Purvincial Councils, an' he wud help to turn them out at the first chance. But he has got the price he bargained for to sell his rota and us at the same time, an' has joined the Eougey-Voge! flock of 11 unclean birds." Where wud he have been, we all say, but for Purvincialism ? Our old friend, Superintendent Williamson, took the Rook out of the wild bush, "split his tongue wid a sixpence," and made him a Speaker of our Council, ftftey he had blarneyed the pinsioners to turn out our true friend, poor old Captain Powditch, and let him in. We all said here, ' How can the Rook iver expect luck or grace, after takia' the bread out of the mouth of .that poor but honest old man f ' Howsomiver, amall blame to the Yogel, but shame upon our member ! "